Todays SlapShot

Mikko Koivu named Team Finland captain for World Cup of Hockey

The Finnish Ice Hockey Association has announced that Minnesota Wild forward, and captain, Mikko Koivu was selected to serve as Team Finland’s Captain at the World Cup of Hockey 2016.

Koivu, 33, has scored 161 goals and accumulated a total of 556 points over his 11 NHL seasons, all spent with the Minnesota Wild. During his time with the Wild he has been their Captain since 2009, and was the first permanent captain in franchise history. He was selected by the Wild sixth overall during the 2001 NHL Draft.

Additionally, the 6’2, 216-pound Finn has been named captain of Team Finland previously, including in three IIHF World Championship tournaments. Koivu lead Leijonat to their 2011 World.

The Turku, Finland native has vast international play experience and has the 2011 World Championship gold along with a WJC18 gold to his name. Furthermore, the Finnish captain has three silver medals in WJC, World Championship and in the Winter Olympics. Rounding out his international medals are four bronze in WJC18, WJC20, World Championship, and the Winter Olympics.

The World Cup of Hockey returns in September, and will include eight teams — Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe, Team Finland, Team North America, Team Russia, Team Sweden and Team USA. The eight teams will compete in a two-week tournament that will be featuring more than 170 of the best players in the NHL.

The Toronto will play host of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. All of the tournament games will be played within the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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